Apparatus for lifting wallboard into multi-story buildings

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for lifting a load carrying device and load from the ground to the upper stories of a building. The load carrying device with load is secured to the apparatus and the apparatus, load carrying device and load are lifted to the upper stories of the building by a crane. A ramp that projects from the apparatus is positioned in an opening at the upper story level and the load carrying device is disconnected from the apparatus. The load carrying device with load may then be moved into the building. A load carrying device without load is secured to the apparatus and the apparatus is lowered to the ground until a turning leg projecting from beneath the apparatus contacts the ground. Further lowering tips the apparatus on its side. A load may then be placed on the load carrying device while it is still attached to the apparatus. The apparatus, load carrying device and load may then be lifted repeating the operation explained above.

United Stat'es Patent 1191 Montgomery, deceased 1111 4 3,861,546 Jan. 21', 1975 APPARATUS FOR LllFTING I/VALLBOARD INTO MULTI-STORY BUILDINGS [76] Inventor: Thurman R. Montgomery, deceased,

late of 2017 Hurstview Dr., Hurst, Tex. 176053 by Billie Montgomery, executrix 221 Filed: May 3,1973- 2-1 Appl. No.: 356,757

52 u.s.c1 214/621, 1s7/2,214/1 H, 214/1s 511 1111. C1 ..B66f9/00 58] Field of Search 214/1 H, 1 s, 1 Q, 1 QE, 214/1 621, 620, 38 CA; 187/2; 294/67 R, 67A,67B,67BA

[56] v v References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,632,253 6/1927 Triay, Jr. et al. 214/14 2,251,731 8/1941 Daniels 214/1 QE X 3,341,034 9/1967 Blasen 214/14 3,680,715 8/1972 Montgomery 214/1 QE 3,690,485 Fischer et al. 214/621 X Primary ExaminerFrank E. Werner Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Eddie E. Scott [571 I ABSTRACT An apparatus for lifting a load carrying device and load from the ground to the upper stories of a building. The load carrying device with load'is secured to the apparatus and the apparatus, load carrying device and load are lifted to the upper stories of the building by a crane. Aramp that projects from the apparatus is positioned in an opening at the upper story level and the load carrying device is disconnected from the apparatus. The load carrying device with load may then be moved into the building. A load carrying device without load is secured to the apparatus and the apparatus is lowered to the ground until a turning leg projecting from beneath the apparatus contacts the ground. Further lowering tips the apparatus on its side. A load may then be placed on the load carrying device while it is still attached to the apparatus. The

apparatus, load carrying deviceand load may then be lifted repeating the operation explained above.

10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENIEB JANZI I975 SHEET 10F 2 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the art of material handling and more particularly to an apparatus for lifting a flat elongated load to an elevated-location.

The handling of flat elongated loads such as loads of building materials made up of sheetrock, plywood, wallboard and other materials of similar shape has always been a difficult and time consuming: operation, requiring a number of workers and a considerable amount of time. These materials arebulky and heavy and certain individual varities of these materials are relatively fragile and maybe easily damaged. The loads of materials generally must be taken from a truck at ground level and lifted to the upper stories of a multistory building. Once the loads are at the upper storythey must be transported through narrow passageways. For example, the materials maybe transported through doors and hallways and between obstacles. The materials will then be placed in a horizontal position for fur ther distribution or for stacking.

Prior to the present invention the materials were generally unloaded from the truck by hand or'with a fork lift truck. The materials were then moved to an elevator where they were transported to the upper stories of a building. Once the materials were at the upper level they were hand carried to individual locations throughout the building. It will be appreciated that the aforementioned operation requires a number of workers and a good deal of time.

A load carrying device for transporting and unloading a flat elongated load is shown in .U.S. Pat. No. 3,680,715 to Thurman R. Montgomery, patented Aug. 1, 1972. The load is positioned and secured on an L- shaped frame. Wheels onthe bottom of the frame allow the load to easily be transported through narrow passageways. Curved members on the side of the frame allow the frame and material to be placed in a horizontal position and unloaded by tipping the frame onto the curved members. In order to transport the load to the.

upper stories of a multi-story building theaforementioned device must be lifted' to the upper story level. Building elevators may be used if they are'available', however they have the disadvantage of a fixed location they require a dock on the upper story location. It will be appreciated that a need clearlyexists for a reliable and versatile apparatus for transporting a load carrying device to the-upper stories of a building with a load carried by the load carrying'device. t

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR AR I Mar. 19, 1957, an apparatus for handling prefabricated building panels is shown. A pair of carts are used to unload a prefabricated building panel from a trailer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a system for quickly and easily transporting a great number of individual flat elongated loads into the upper stories of a multi-story building. An L shaped load carrying device is connected to the body of the load lifting apparatus. The

' rolled off of the load lifting apparatus onto the upper level.

An empty load carrying device is rolled onto the load lifting apparatus and secured thereto. The load lifting apparatus and empty load carrying device are lowered until a turning leg that projects from beneath the load lifting apparatus contacts the ground. Further lowering and lack versatility. Loading booms may be used but the great weight of the materials, the possibility of the materials being damaged and the arnountof time consumed by the operation.

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,090,516 to D. R. Seymour et al. a

causes the load lifting apparatus to turn on its side. A new load may be placed on the load carrying device without disconnecting the load carrying'device from the load lifting apparatus.. The load lifting apparatus, load carrying device'and load are then raised to the desired upper level by a-crane or other cable mechanism. The operation is repeated until the desired number of loads have been placed in the upper level. The above and other features and'advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction withthe drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows an apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention being turned onto .its side for receiving a load.

FIG. 2 shows the apparatus of FIG. 1 receiving a load of wallboard.

FIG. 3 shows the apparatue of FIGS. I and 2 posi tioned at an upper level and the .load being moved off 'of the apparatus.

FIG. 4 shows the apparatus of F GS. 1, 2 and 3 ready for travel to a new site.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to FIG. 1, one embodiment of an ap-' paratus constructed in accordance with the present invention isshown. The apparatus for lifting wallboard into multi-story buildings is generally designated by the reference number 10. The apparatus 10 is attached to.

apparatus 10. A load carrying device 18, without load, is shown positioned on apparatus 10. The load carrying device 18 is constructed in accordance with the invention described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,680,715 to Thurman R. Montgomery, patented Aug. 1, 1972, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Wheels 19, 19 ect. on the bottom of the load carrying device 18 roll in channels 20 and 21 on a ramp 22 that projects from the base 23 of the apparatus 10. A side frame 24 projects upward from base 23. A beam 25 with a handle 26 projects outward from the side frame 24 to assist in positioning the apparatus at the upper story level of a multi-story building. The load carrying device 18 is firmly secured to the apparatus 10 by rod 27 that slides in brackets 28 on the side frame 24 and beam 25. A handle 29 on one end of the rod 27 allows the load carrying device to be selectively connected to or disconnected from the apparatus 10 by moving brackets that project from the rod 27.that are selectively connected to the load carrying device 18 when the rod 27 is moved. A turning leg 30 may be selectively connected to the base 23., The turning leg 30 fits within a square bracket 31 and is affixed thereto by a bolt or other attaching means. A second turning leg may be attached to the other end of base 23..

The structural details of an embodiment of an apparatus for loading wallboard into multi-story buildings having been described, the operation of the system for loading wallboard into multi-story buildings will now be considered. The apparatus 10 is attached to the line from the lifting device by connecting the ring 16 to the hook 11. The apparatus 10 with the load carrying device 18 secured the'reto is lifted and the turning leg 30 is attached to the base 23 of the apparatus 10. The apparatus 10 is lowered until the bottom of the turning leg 30 contacts the ground as shown in FIG. 1. Further lowering of the apparatus 10 causes the apparatus 10 .to turn and come to rest on the side frame 24 as shown in FIG. 2.

With the apparatus 10 and the load carrying device 18 in the position shown in FIG. 2 the cables 14 and are disconnected and aload 32 of wallboard or other flat elongated material is positioned on theload carrying device l8. This is easily accomplished using a fork lift truck 33 or other power load lifting device. The load 32 rests on rollers 36 for reasons that will become apparent subsequently. The belt 34 is passed over the load 32 and attached to buckle 35, thus firmly securing load 32 to the load carrying device. The cables 14 and 15 are again connected to the apparatus 10 and the apparatus 10 is connected to the lifting device.

Referring now to FIG. 3 the apparatus 10 is shown after it has been lifted to the upper story level of a multi-story building. The handle 26 on beam may be gripped by a worker at the upper story level and the ramp 22 positioned inside of the building 38. The hanthe apparatus 10 to increase efficiency in the operation of loading wallboard into the building 38. The apparatus 10 may then be used to obtain another load of wallboard while the load 32 is being unloaded. When the next load is in position on the second load carying device attached to the apparatus 10 it can be lifted to the upper story level and rolled into the building 38. By then the load carrying device 18 will have been unloaded and will be ready to be placed on the apparatus 10 and lowered to the ground for another load. It will 7 be appreciated that any reduction in the time required dle 29 of rod 27 is lifted and the load carrying device to stock the entire supply of wallboard in a building under construction is of great advantage. It will also be appreciated that the apparatus '10 and load carrying device 18 allows a tremendous reduction in the time required to stock a new building with wallboard.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the operation of unloading the load 32 will be considered. The load 32 is carried off of the apparatus 10 by the load carrying device 18. The wheels l9, l9, ect. remain in the channels 20 and 21 until the load carrying device 18 and load 32 are completely off of ramp 22. The load 32 is then transported to the desired location within the building 38 by a worker pushing the load carrying device 18. A single worker can manuver the load carrying device 18 and the load carrying device 18 will pass through narrow passageways such as dorrs and hallways and between obstacles. Once the load carrying device 18 reaches the desired location it is tipped onto the curved side members as explained in US. Pat. No. 3,680,715 to Thurman R. Montgomery, patented Aug. 1, 1972 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The buckle 35 is disconnected and belt 34 removed from the load 32. The load carrying device 18 is tipped on the curved side members allowing the load 32 to move off of the load carrying device 18. The load carrying device 18 is then lifted to the upright position with wheels 19, 19', ect. On the floor and transported to the apparatus 10.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the apparatus 10 is shown being transported to another building site. The load carrying device l8is secured to the apparatus .10, the turning legs 30 are removed and a pair of wheels (wheel 39 being shown in FIG. 4) are connected to the base 23 of the apparatus 10. A tongue 40 is also attached to the base 23 of the apparatus 10 and the apparatus 10 can be pulled in the same manner as a trailer. A license plate and trailer lights may be affixed to the base 23 of the apparatus 10 for use on public streets and highways.

Referring again to FIGS. 4- and 2, the load 32 may be positioned on the load carrying'device 18 attached to the apparatus 10 without using the turning leg. The ring l6 is attached to the hook 11 and the apparatus 10 is lifted a few inches. The wheels 39 are removed and the apparatus 10 is lowered onto base 23. Cables 14 and 15 are disconnected from the apparatus 10. The apparatus 10 is then lifted by the lifting device until it turns onto the side frame 24. The 'load 32 may then be placed on the load carrying device 18.

The operation of loading wallboard into a multi-story building is substantially faster than the prior art systems of loading wallboard and has a number of saftey advantages. The prior art systems required eight workers and took approximately 15 minutes per cycle. A cycle is the time required for one load to be taken from the delivering truck, placed in the building, and the beginning of taking the next load from the delivering truck. The present invention reduces the time approximately one third to five minutes per cycle. The present invention requires only one half as many workers and is substantially safer. The workers remain inside of the building using the present invention and a'ramp does not project from the building as in prior art systems. Many of the prior art ramps are now ruled unsafe by OSHA.

' The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property of privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. Apparatus for lifting an elongated load consisting of a multiplicity of sections of wallboard to a vertical opening at an elevated location and transporting the load to a desired area on the elevated location and unloading the load using a lifting cable, comprising: 11

a load carrying device for carrying said load, said load carrying device having a substantially L shaped frame with a generally vertical upright portion and a generally horizontal lower portion, said lower portion adapted to support said load when said load is being'transported, wheel means connected to the lower portion of said frame for moving said apparatus when. the load is being transported, and a curved member affixed to the upright portion of said L shaped frame extending convexly outwardly for assisting in unloading said load from said apparatus;

a body frame for receiving said load carrying device,

said body frame including channels forreceiving said wheel means of said load carrying device;

means for connecting said body to said lifting cable,

and

'ramp means projecting horizontally and extending from said body frame for extending into said vertical opening and allowing said load carrying'device to move off of said body frame to'said elevated location wherein said load will be transported to said desired area and unloaded;

2. The. apparatus of claim 1 including a connection for selectively attaching said load carrying device to said body frame.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said ramp means includes channels for guiding said wheel means.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 including a handle pro-- jecting horizontally from said body frame above said ramp means.

5. The Apparatus of claim 4 including a pair of wheels and means, for selectively attaching said pair of wheels to said body frame.

6. Apparatus for lifting an elongated load consisting of a multiplicity of sections of wallboard to a vertical opening at an elevated location and transporting the 5 load to a desired area on the elevated location and unloading the load using a lifting cable, comprising:

a load carrying device for carrying said load, said load carrying device having a substantially L shaped frame with a generally vertical upright portion and a generally horizontal lower portion, said lower portion adapted to support said load when said load is being transported, wheel means connected to the lower portion of said frame for moving said apparatus when the load is being transported, and a curved member affixed to the upright portion of said L shaped frame extending convexly outwardly for assisting in unloading said load from said apparatus;

a body frame for receiving said load carrying device,

said body frame including channels for receiving said wheel means of said load carrying device;

means for connecting said body frame to said lifting cable;

I a ramp projecting horizontally and extending from said body framefor extending into said vertical opening and allowing said load carrying device to move off of said body frame to said elevated location whereinsaid load will be transported to said desired area and unloaded;

means on said ramp for guiding said load carrying device;

a connection for selectively connecting said load carrying device to said body';

a pair of wheels; and

moved, 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said means on said ramp for guiding said load carrying device includes at least one channel for receiving said wheel means.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 including a handle projecting horizontally from said body frame above said means for selectively connecting said pair of wheels to said body frame for allowing the apparatus to. 

1. Apparatus for lifting an elongated load consisting of a multiplicity of seCtions of wallboard to a vertical opening at an elevated location and transporting the load to a desired area on the elevated location and unloading the load using a lifting cable, comprising: 11 a load carrying device for carrying said load, said load carrying device having a substantially ''''L'''' shaped frame with a generally vertical upright portion and a generally horizontal lower portion, said lower portion adapted to support said load when said load is being transported, wheel means connected to the lower portion of said frame for moving said apparatus when the load is being transported, and a curved member affixed to the upright portion of said ''''L'''' shaped frame extending convexly outwardly for assisting in unloading said load from said apparatus; a body frame for receiving said load carrying device, said body frame including channels for receiving said wheel means of said load carrying device; means for connecting said body to said lifting cable, and ramp means projecting horizontally and extending from said body frame for extending into said vertical opening and allowing said load carrying device to move off of said body frame to said elevated location wherein said load will be transported to said desired area and unloaded.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 including a connection for selectively attaching said load carrying device to said body frame.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said ramp means includes channels for guiding said wheel means.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 including a handle projecting horizontally from said body frame above said ramp means.
 5. The Apparatus of claim 4 including a pair of wheels and means for selectively attaching said pair of wheels to said body frame.
 6. Apparatus for lifting an elongated load consisting of a multiplicity of sections of wallboard to a vertical opening at an elevated location and transporting the load to a desired area on the elevated location and unloading the load using a lifting cable, comprising: a load carrying device for carrying said load, said load carrying device having a substantially ''''L'''' shaped frame with a generally vertical upright portion and a generally horizontal lower portion, said lower portion adapted to support said load when said load is being transported, wheel means connected to the lower portion of said frame for moving said apparatus when the load is being transported, and a curved member affixed to the upright portion of said ''''L'''' shaped frame extending convexly outwardly for assisting in unloading said load from said apparatus; a body frame for receiving said load carrying device, said body frame including channels for receiving said wheel means of said load carrying device; means for connecting said body frame to said lifting cable; a ramp projecting horizontally and extending from said body framefor extending into said vertical opening and allowing said load carrying device to move off of said body frame to said elevated location wherein said load will be transported to said desired area and unloaded; means on said ramp for guiding said load carrying device; a connection for selectively connecting said load carrying device to said body; a pair of wheels; and means for selectively connecting said pair of wheels to said body frame for allowing the apparatus to moved.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said means on said ramp for guiding said load carrying device includes at least one channel for receiving said wheel means.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 including a handle projecting horizontally from said body frame above said ramp means.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 including bolts for selectively connecting said pair of wheels to said body.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 including a tongue and means for selectively connecting said tongue to said body frame. 